FRENCH, GOBELINS, TAPESTRY OF 'FEBRUARY', FROM THE SERIES OF 'LES MOIS LUCAS', BY MICHEL SOUET AND JEAN DE LA FRAYE, AFTER DESIGNS BY LUCAS VAN LEYDEN LATE 17TH CENTURY

The original series of Les Mois Lucas or the Lucas Months, were woven in Brussels in 1535 and were owned by Louis XIV. They were subsequently burned for their gold and silver thread in 1797. The first Gobelins set of the series was made for Colbert and appears in the royal inventory of 1685. The Months were woven at the Gobelins with a variety of border types. Sets were produced for Baron Spaar, Swedish Ambassador to France in 1717, for Princess Conti, and for the King of Poland, among others. 

This panel, along with panels of December, June and July, hung in the South entrance of Mentmore Towers in Aylesbury, England. Representing 'February' and also called "the Game', the weaving incorporates members of the nobility playing cards and backgammon.